commemorative head of an Iyoba (Queen Mother), unrecorded Bini artist

Artwork Overview

commemorative head of an Iyoba (Queen Mother), late 1800s–1975
Where object was made: Nigeria
Material/technique: casting; brass
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 31.5 x 15.5 x 14.5 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 12 3/8 x 6 1/8 x 5 11/16 in
Credit line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. Kenneth Palmer
Accession number: 2007.3026
On display: Michaelis Gallery

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Images

Label texts

These two portrait busts represent rulers from different periods of the Benin Kingdom in the southern forests of Nigeria. Oba and Iyoba are considered to have great metaphysical and spiritual power. Each figure is represented wearing their royal regalia that is traditionally made of coral. In this museum setting, they are displaced from their original African contexts but still retain their power through their regal imagery and posture.

Exhibitions

Susan Earle, curator
Celka Straughn, curator
Kristina Walker, curator
Angela Watts, curator
2022–2027
Susan Earle, curator
Celka Straughn, curator
Kristina Walker, curator
Angela Watts, curator
2022–2027